How to live in Australia? This is the first question for people who want to try to study and work in a country that is often highlighted in health, education and economics. With more than 25 million inhabitants, Australia is a territory that values multiculturalism and offers opportunities for people who want to grow and contribute to the country’s growth. To start looking for your Australian visa it is necessary to understand your alternatives and know the main criteria.
That’s exactly what we’ll cover in this comprehensive guide we’ve prepared. In this post, we explain everything you need to know to start planning your dream of living in Australia. Follow and start changing your life!
If you are researching about the country and ways to get an Australian visa to change your life, it is important that you know the main characteristics of the territory. Next, understand how some basic services in Australia work and what life is like for residents.
Major cities
The first step to know how to live in Australia is to decide where you want to stay, as this interferes with other choices, such as educational institution, professional and even impacts your cost of living.
To begin with, Canberra is the capital of Australia and its construction dates back to 1927. This was a planned city and the objective was to end the rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney, who lived in a feud to dispute which would be the country’s capital. However, in terms of territorial extension, Sydney is bigger. Melbourne has a magnificent natural landscape, which includes idyllic beaches. Besides them, they are among the main and best cities to work and study in Australia:
- Brisbane;
- Adelaide;
- Gold Coast;
- Perth;
- Sunshine Coast;
- Townsville;
- Hobart;
- Cairns;
- Byron Bay;
- Airlie Beach.
Number of inhabitant
Australia has about 25.8 million inhabitants, with 50.2% being female and 49.8% male. The country stands out for its multiculturalism, as, on average, 25% of the population is foreigners.
The colonization was done by the Dutch, but it was in 1778 that the occupation of Australia by the British began. These British settled in what is now the city of Sydney and, for many years, it was an agricultural colony.
The first inhabitants, and who were eliminated by the English, were the aborigines. This was a nomadic people and they did not have activities related to agriculture, as they lived only from gathering.
Cost of living
The cost of living in Australia depends on the city you stay in, the institution you study and your type of accommodation in the country. Overall, the annual cost is around AUD$23,740, or AUD$1,753.43 monthly, according to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
In addition, you need to consider other variables that affect this value, such as if it is a couple exchange, the amount and type of public transport used.
Education
When you start looking for ways to live in Australia and get a good degree, one of the main things you need to understand is education in the country. The educational system is among the best, with seven universities in Australia ranked as the best in the world.
Regardless of the level of study (primary, secondary or higher), the national or international student receives a quality education supported by the government and responsible agencies.
In higher education, the organizations responsible for registration, accreditation and regulation are the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) and the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) ).
Public transportation
Speaking of transport, when living in Australia, you will find that this basic service is very efficient, punctual, modern, planned and organized. Both the subway and bus stations are very close to the main educational institutions in the cities, so you won’t have major difficulties in getting around. For payment, credit cards are used, such as the Opal Card in Sydney.
In addition to them, you will have the option of trains, ferries and trams and cycling is one of the customs in Australia, especially among students. For this, the streets have cycle paths and cycle lanes that are highly respected by drivers.
Health
The health service provided by the Australian government is Medicare. This is a type of health plan that caters for Australian citizens to people with temporary residency and visas.
For use, the Medicare Levy rate is charged annually, which is between 1% and 5% of your salary, and this discount is made directly on your pay stub. However, these percentages are not charged to international students, only the Australian population and permanent residents.
Although it is not completely free, the amounts charged are returned through excellence in the public health service, as it is possible to carry out several procedures, consultations and exams that are guaranteed in the coverage.
Economy
Another aspect that weighs on the decision to live in Australia is the economy, which is developed, strong and among the most stable in the world. The main sectors and activities that drive the country’s economic growth are:
- Food, paper, food, electronic equipment and machinery industry;
- Coal, diamond and aluminum mining;
- Wheat, sugar, barley, fruit and cotton agriculture;
- Tourism;
- Small business.
All this stability and economically positive results are a reflection of a government that values public policies that favor the main sectors and entrepreneurship. This is exactly why the Australian job market is also very promising and is always looking for international professionals to work professionally in order to add value, knowledge and growth to the territory.
Food
Because it was colonized by the British, Australia carries many characteristics of this cuisine, such as fish with potatoes (fish and chips), pies and vegemite, which is a salty and peppery paste made with the same yeast used in beers and widely consumed in toast and bread.
You can also find influences from other countries in Australian food, so you can find Brazilian restaurants and even frozen cheese bread in supermarkets. There, barbecue is also quite common in the houses, but, unlike in Brazil, they use sausages, hamburgers and a lot of barbecue sauce.
The cost of this food varies depending on the city you are in, whether you know how to cook or whether you eat a lot outside the home. In Sydney, for example, a lunch can cost between A$8.70 to A$19.0 depending on the place and food.
Driver’s license
Each state has its own traffic laws and regulations, which is why the letter is only valid for the state in which you are living and have obtained this license. To get the driver’s license, you need to go to a regulatory agency to take a theory test and a practical test.
If you already have a driver’s license here in Brazil, there is the possibility of finding a translator with the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) certification to do a sworn translation, which will allow you to drive for up to three months.
However, if you are staying longer, you will need an international permit, which is paid for a practical test fee, and this works in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. So, it is recommended that you look for the Department of Transit of the state you will be staying to check the necessary laws and rules.
